Holland Aquatic Center joins pools across the globe in 'World's Largest Swim Lesson'

Carolyn Muyskens, The Holland Sentinel
·2 min read
Nearly 50 new swimmers at Holland Aquatic Center participated Thursday in what has been dubbed the "World's Largest Swim Lesson," a global initiative coordinated by the World Waterpark Association to educate communities about swimming and water safety.
Nearly 50 new swimmers at Holland Aquatic Center participated Thursday in what has been dubbed the "World's Largest Swim Lesson," a global initiative coordinated by the World Waterpark Association to educate communities about swimming and water safety.

HOLLAND — Nearly 50 new swimmers at Holland Aquatic Center participated Thursday in what has been dubbed the "World's Largest Swim Lesson," a global initiative coordinated by the World Waterpark Association to educate communities about swimming and water safety.

Staff and volunteers from HAC's competitive swim and dive team, Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, taught a 30-minute basic water safety and swim lesson Thursday, June 23,  alongside swim instructors at pools and waterparks in 14 countries and 42 states.

Dozens of kids — and two adult learners — were taught basic skills like floating, treading water, breathing and swim strokes. They were also taught to be aware of their surroundings, float on their backs and call for help, and ask permission from an adult before entering the water.

Staff and volunteers from HAC's competitive swim and dive team, Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, taught a 30-minute basic water safety and swim lesson Thursday, June 23.
Staff and volunteers from HAC's competitive swim and dive team, Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, taught a 30-minute basic water safety and swim lesson Thursday, June 23.

"Here in Michigan, we know that there's tons of coastline and quite a bit of water, so it's part of our mission here at Holland Aquatic Center to keep the community safe and to introduce as many people, and children especially, as we can to water safety," said Dan Christian, operations manager for instructional programming at HAC.

Subscribe: Learn more about our latest subscription offers!

"We know that for ages 1-4, (drowning) is the leading cause of accidental death, and we think that's something that's avoidable through instruction and through exposure to swimming lessons."

Children smile as and kick their feet during the "World's Largest Swim Lesson" at Holland Aquatic Center.
Children smile as and kick their feet during the "World's Largest Swim Lesson" at Holland Aquatic Center.

HAC teaches more than 5,000 adults and children to swim each year through its instructional programs and partnerships with many local school districts.

The annual World's Largest Swim Lesson aims to break previous years' records for participation. For swim instructors, breaking a record might be a fun fringe benefit, but what's really valuable is exposing children to messages of water safety.

"Perhaps more important than that is what we're doing here, along with hundreds of other pools around the world," Christian said. "Trying to raise awareness for water safety and trying to waterproof our communities and keep them safe."

— Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Aquatic Center joins pools across the globe in 'World's Largest Swim Lesson'